Kota Kinabalu Division Founder's Day

It's been 8 years since I visited Kota Kinabalu, the biggest city in Sabah, after the Brigade Council Meeting in Sandakan and after climbing the mountain. Back then, I didn't get much chance to see the city, hence unable to remember very much of the place. I recently have a breather in work and with AirAsia so happened to be selling cheap tickets, I decided to take the opportunity to visit KK as well as visit Mr. Sim Guan Jian, formerly serving in 3rd KL, who is now back in his hometown. 

The Kota Kinabalu Division so happened to be celebrating its Founder's Day on the 27th October 2013. Having been busy the day before due to many events, I was initially unable to come. But curiosity (once again), had the better of me. I got on a 6.45am flight on Sunday the 27th itself, arriving in KK at 9.30am. Sim fetched from the airport and we had to kill time till 3pm. The KK divisions were having rehearsals at the Putera Ballroom, one of the local halls. 

Before the event - 2nd KK's BB Room

Before heading over to the hall, Sim brought me to the Kota Kinabalu Basel Church, home of the 2nd KK company for a tour of his BB room. It has tons of stuff in there and held a rather meticulous records system. I mean, even Dr. Danny Wong's squad roll book was intact. Wow. 

After a waiting for his Staff Sergeant to collect some drums, I got myself checked into DM Hotel, a nearby budget hotel, took a quick shower.. and it was off to Putera Ballroom. 

The Best Recruit Medal, worn by the recipient for the year. Not a bad idea!

What is the KK division? Well you see, in Sabah, several companies in a town form a "Division". So there are three Divisions - Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan and Tawau Division (in contrast to Sarawak which has "Districts"). The KK Division, used to be called the Kota Kinabalu Battalion, is made out of 2nd KK, 3rd KK, 4th KK, 5th KK, 10th KK, 1st Penampang and 1st Keningau. 

KK Division Guard of Honour

The event officially started at 6.30pm, but couldn't really commence until an hour later as we were awaiting the arrival of the Guest of Honour, YB Encik Masiung Banah, Sabah's Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports.  We were also expecting Mr. Henley Liew, Sabah's State Commissioner to arrive, but he never came due to flight delays. Still, it was great to have someone from the government gracing this event.  

The arrival of the Guest of Honour, YB Encik Masiung Banah, flanked by Mr. Michael Lee, 5th KK captain and Mr. Donald Soh, 2nd KK's Hon. Captain. 

All the colours (with the exception of 10th KK and 1st Keningau) getting prepped for the drumhead service

Normally a Founder's Day or dinner banquet would be quite standard. But this event was special for me cause it was the first time I attended a Founder's Day Dinner. Normally, it's just a parade, service, games and go home. So this was indeed special. Another thing out of the ordinary was what they called a Drumhead Service, which, according to them, was a service conduced during wartime in the absence of a physical church building. The drums will be laid out to form an alter and the Colours will be laid on the makeshift alter, consecrating the battlefield. I found the whole process to be eye opening and meaningful. It was great seeing almost all the Colours present too.. something we wanted to do in KL this year (we did have all the Colours last year).. I'm gonna make sure KL companies bring their Colours in 2014. Maybe not a drumhead service though. 

Rev. James Wong conducting the drumhead service

Marching out of the Sabah State Colours

The organising chairman of their Founder's Day this year is Mr. Anthony Fong, who is the founder of the BB in Sabah. He started the 1st KK and 4th KK companies (1st KK formed 2nd KK, while 1st itself morphed into 3rd KK when their sponsors closed down). Despite his old age, Mr. Fong came out of retirement and chose to serve once again in the BB. 

Mr. Anthony Fong, Honorary Captain of 4th KK and the event's organising chairman, giving his speech

YB Encik Masiung Banah giving his speech

Praise and Worship 

Cake cutting. It is after all BB's 130th Anniversary

The rest of the evening was filled with presentations and performances, entertaining the audience made out of parents, members, ex-BB Boys and supporters. Did I mention the price? It was RM40 per ticket! That being said, it was free for me, thanks to Mr. Sim who generously paid for my ticket. Thanks Sim!

2nd KK Percussions

Mime by either 3rd or 4th KK

4th KK Juniors presentation. Cute performance! Questionable song though..

1st Keningau dancers

I'm glad I came to KK, making new friends and learning a great deal about how the BB operated in KK. I hope God's working will continue to expand in this land.

The retreat was sounded, flag lowered and the singing of the BB Vesper marked the end of the event